The City fans reportedly raised more than £7,000 for their 'Grazie Mancini Fund', and their message in Gazzetta dello Sport read: "Per sempre uno di noi (forever one of us). Once a blue, always a blue."

Mancini was a hugely popular figure with City supporters after winning their first major trophy for 35 years, the 2011 FA Cup, and their first league title in 44, the Premier League 12 months ago.

He paid for a message to them, which read: "Manchester City supporters. Three unforgettable years. You will always be in my heart. Ciao. Roberto Mancini."